Survivor Zerohttp://survivor-zero.com
Just another WordPress siteMon, 26 Nov 2018 01:32:30 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.10FRITZ!Box 7530 review: an AC1300 router with Gigabit portshttp://survivor-zero.com/fritzbox-7530-review-an-ac1300-router-with-gigabit-ports/
http://survivor-zero.com/fritzbox-7530-review-an-ac1300-router-with-gigabit-ports/#respondMon, 26 Nov 2018 01:32:30 +0000http://survivor-zero.com/?p=39Last year the manufacturer AVM launched the high-end FRITZ!Box 7590 router, a well-rounded device with an outstanding performance. We had the opportunity to do a thorough review of the FRITZ!Box 7590 at RedesZone. Today we bring you the review of its little sibling, the FRITZ!Box 7530, which has the same design and the same FRITZ!OS, although in a smaller size in order to reduce its price to €150. Do you want to see what we got out of this device?

Main characteristics of the AVM FRITZ!Box 7530

This new router has the same outstanding features of the high-end AVM FRITZ!Box 7590, such as FRITZ!OS and Wi-Fi Mesh support. The FRITZ!Box 7530 is smaller and cheaper than the FRITZ!Box 7590, as we can get it for around €150.

This router’s main feature is that it is dual-band (AC1300) and has MU-MIMO support to make the most out of the network while on the 5 GHz band. We can get up to 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band thanks to the 802.11n standard (Wi-Fi 4), and we can get up to 867 Mbps thanks to the 802.11ac standard (Wi-Fi 5). The FRITZ!Box 7530 has two internal 2T2R MIMO antennas for each band. The router has a physical WPS button to connect wireless devices easily without having to type in a password. Besides, we also get a QR code that will allow us to connect smartphones easily. FRITZ!OS provides a lot of options for wireless security.

This router’s FRITZ!OS 7 has Wi-Fi Mesh support, so we will be able to create an entire network if we have other FRITZ! devices at home, such as Wi-Fi repeaters, powerlines and even other FRITZ!Box routers. We had the opportunity to set up a Wi-Fi Mesh network at RedesZone with several FRITZ! devices, as you can see here:

The FRITZ!Box 7530 also has a xDSL port with an ADSL2+/VDSL2 modem, so every DSL technology on the market in Spain is covered. The firmware allows us to set up a VLAN ID for the internet connection. It is compatible with the operator Pepephone that uses a VLAN internet connection.

If you have fiber to the home (FTTH) or HFC like Vodaphone-ONO, you can use this router seamlessly. Although the router lacks a dedicated WAN port, we can actually set up the LAN1 port to work as a WAN port, just like it happens with the brand’s previous models. Of course, in this case we can also set up VLAN ID for any internet service in Spain. As for the local network, we have four LAN ports, or just three if we use the LAN1 port as a WAN one.

AVM’s new router features a VoIP PBX compatible with analog phone lines thanks to its RJ-11 port and its DECT base station for up to 6 cordless phones at the same time. This feature is ideal to make the most out of everything FRITZ!OS has to offer. We have several answering machines and a great management of the calls we make using the router.

In order to use our router as a little NAS server, we have a high-performance USB 3.0 port. The router’s firmware supports the SMB and FTP protocols, DLNA media servers. We can even connect USB printers to the router.

FRITZ!OS is essential to make the most out of the router. The firmware is highly advanced, providing a lot of setup options such as a VPN server, Wi-Fi Mesh support, and a really user-friendly interface in our language.

]]>http://survivor-zero.com/como-optimizar-tu-conexion-vpn-para-navegar-mas-rapido/feed/0Microsoft will remove Windows 10’s Volume Mixer. Where will we find it?http://survivor-zero.com/microsoft-will-remove-windows-10s-volume-mixer-where-will-we-find-it/
http://survivor-zero.com/microsoft-will-remove-windows-10s-volume-mixer-where-will-we-find-it/#respondThu, 22 Nov 2018 02:44:03 +0000http://survivor-zero.com/?p=30Microsoft keeps introducing changes to Windows 10 to simplify it and unify settings little by little. The company keeps removing elements from the Control Panel and adding them to Settings. Now it is the turn for the Volume Mixer to change locations after more than 20 years.

The Volume Mixer as we know it will bid farewell next year

Microsoft introduced changes to the Sound settings with the April 2018 Update, changing some of the settings and removing the section from the Control Panel. This has caused issues to some users who need to access the Volume Mixer, forcing them to create a shortcut on the Desktop so they can easily open it.

Thanks to the Volume Mixer, we can adjust the volume of different programs and apps individually and easily. Up until now, a Win32 app (located in C:\Windows\System32\SndVol.exe) is run when we open the Volume Mixer.

Starting with Windows 10 19H1, the Volume Mixer will be found in Settings. We can see that on build 18272, which is now available on Windows 10’s Fast Ring to users who try out the OS’ latest features.

The Volume Mixer will still be run by right-clicking the speaker icon on the taskbar and clicking Open Volume Mixer. Instead of running SndVol.exe, we will be taken to the new “App volume and device preferences” section.

Windows 10 19H1 will simplify and unify every sound panel

The feature is already available on Windows 10 October 2018 Update, but is it not enabled by default. Instead, the Win32 app is still being open. With this panel we will be able to easily manage programs and the input and output device we want them to use. For example, we can play music with the speakers while listening to a game match with our headphones.

SndVol.exe can still be found on build 18272, but we expect Microsoft to remove it entirely from future OS versions. Although this panel is better than the current one, a lot of users are not happy with the change because Windows 10’s Settings menu does not allow users to open two windows at the same time to compare settings. Instead, only one window can remain open at a time.

However, Microsoft is evidently working to provide a better user experience with its OS, especially after releasing what is probably the worst OS update in history. A lot of users have compared the October 2018 Update (then it would be renamed November 2018 Update) with the flop Windows Vista was.

]]>http://survivor-zero.com/microsoft-will-remove-windows-10s-volume-mixer-where-will-we-find-it/feed/0The new Macs will not run on Linux, only on macOS and Windows 10http://survivor-zero.com/the-new-macs-will-not-run-on-linux-only-on-macos-and-windows-10/
http://survivor-zero.com/the-new-macs-will-not-run-on-linux-only-on-macos-and-windows-10/#respondTue, 20 Nov 2018 02:41:38 +0000http://survivor-zero.com/?p=27The Cupertino-based company recently unveiled the new generation of Mac computers and the new Apple T2 Security Chip. It is a co-processor responsible for powering security features, including Touch ID. Even if Apples stays mum about it, this chip enables the secure boot on Apple’s new laptops, and it sets restrictions for installing Linux.So, we will not be able to install Linux distros on latest-gen Mac laptops.

As we said above, the new Apple T2 security chip, which is featured on Apple’s next-gen laptops, blocks Linux from booting by default. With this new hardware setup, only macOS and Windows 10 are allowed to boot as OS. However, users are allowed to disable secure boot, which basically should avoid performing additional checks at boot, opening the door to unsupported OS like Linux. As of now, disabling secure boot does not change anything: Linux cannot be booted.

Is this a bug? The new Macs will not run on Linux, only on macOS and Windows 10

Even by following Apple’s instructions, which are found on the support webpage, it is impossible to boot Linux. On a technical level, Apple’s next-gen laptops should run Linux seamlessly. It is impossible to boot the laptop with a distro, and it might be due to the lack of a certificate. As of now, Apple has not addressed the issue yet. If this is an error, an update should provide the missing certificate so it is possible to run Linux after disabling secure boot.

Right now, those who preordered a next-gen MacBook Air will not be able to boot Linux. Other laptops like the MacBook Pro 2018 and the iMac Pro have the same security chip mentioned above.

]]>http://survivor-zero.com/the-new-macs-will-not-run-on-linux-only-on-macos-and-windows-10/feed/0iPhone sales fall in Europe for the first time. Is this what Apple will try to hide in the future?http://survivor-zero.com/iphone-sales-fall-in-europe-for-the-first-time-is-this-what-apple-will-try-to-hide-in-the-future/
http://survivor-zero.com/iphone-sales-fall-in-europe-for-the-first-time-is-this-what-apple-will-try-to-hide-in-the-future/#respondSun, 18 Nov 2018 02:36:36 +0000http://survivor-zero.com/?p=21Has Apple stagnated? In just a month the company has lost around 200 billion in capitalization. Although it is not something to write home about, it certainly generates tension on the market. A few days ago Apple stated that it would stop releasing sale figures, or at least the exact figures of units sold. So, we will not be told how many iPhone have been sold. Instead, the company will disclose revenue and other relevant information to investors and the market. The latest market share figures shed a light on the polemic decision.

The guys at MovilZona have Apple’s exact unit sales data in the last few years. The change can be seen there. In Q4, the Cupertino-based company sold 46.9 million iPhones in contrast to last year’s 46.7 million. The variation is small and it points to stagnation. However, revenue increased around 29%. Apple’s ability to increase iPhone sales is failing while revenue is soaring. Selling units worldwide is getting complicated, but prices have gone up considerably.

Apple’s dip in sales is due to Europe despite revenue growth: the numbers hurt the Cupertino-based company

Europa makes it difficult for Apple to grow

Right now, sale figures seem to be the only element slowing Apple’s growth in Wall Street. Revenue is growing amazingly but sales are not, as we were saying. The latest market share figures published by Kantar show that Apple’s share fell 3.4% in France, 2.6% in Italy and 4.1 in Spain. In the UK, the company took a minor hit, just 0.3%, whereas it grew 0.5% in Germany.

As for the entire European market, Apple’s share fell 1.6% in contrast to last year, leaving the company with 17.3% of the market share after having 19%. Android’s share is now 82% in contrast to last year’s 79.9%. Android grew 2.3% and Windows clearly shrunk 0.5%. Other OS fell 0.1%, which means they now have only 0.1% of the market share.

Apple grows thanks to the US and China

The Cupertino-based company grew 1.6% and 5% in China and the US, respectively, although it still is far behind Android. In China, Apple’s market share is 18.9% while Android’s is 80.8%. In the US, Apple’s share grew to 39.7% while Android has 60.1% of the market share. Apple still has a major growth margin in China. However, according to Kantar’s data, the yearly evolution is flat.

Is this the reason why Apple wants to “hide” its sale figures?

The fact that people in Wall Street think Apple has stagnated is bad for the Cupertino-based company. To prevent this from becoming a reality, revenue and profit figures are the company’s best ally. Given Apple’s trend in that past few months, unit sale figures can only damage the company’s capitalization. What the company might not have expected is that the lack of transparency might prompt mistrust from the market. As of now, announcing the removal of unit sale figures from the reports has not been well received.

It is evident Apple is doing well, but it is a company that cannot see itself as others do. Apple is the most valuable company in the world, so every figure and decision is put under the microscope. The iPhone is still Apple’s best product. However, given the situation and the iPad’s setback in terms of global sale figures, we are inclined to think that Apple should “open up.”

New products to get out of the “stagnant” position Apple is in according to Wall Street

We have already seen Apple launching new products and raising the iPhone’s price in order to increase its sales, revenue and profit. The Apple AirPods and the Apple HomePod are good examples. Refurbishing some of its old desktop computers and laptops is another important sign. The arrival of a “third iPhone” such as the iPhone XR is also good. Besides, we all know that the Cupertino-based company has been toying with the idea of VR and automation for quite some time.

Although it is yet to launch products in these sectors, Apple is already developing self-driving technologies with Lexus, and is in talks with other manufacturers. The company has also applied to patent a wide range of VR-related technologies and its own VR headset. Although the iPhone is still the company’s best product, wanting to hide sale figures clearly makes us think that the Cupertino-based company also has to focus on other products and services.

]]>http://survivor-zero.com/iphone-sales-fall-in-europe-for-the-first-time-is-this-what-apple-will-try-to-hide-in-the-future/feed/0WhatsApp will start showing adds in 2019http://survivor-zero.com/whatsapp-will-start-showing-adds-in-2019/
http://survivor-zero.com/whatsapp-will-start-showing-adds-in-2019/#respondFri, 16 Nov 2018 02:36:32 +0000http://survivor-zero.com/?p=17It has been four years since Facebook bought the messaging app WhatsApp. Sooner or later, that was clearly going to affect users, and it seems the time for it has finally come.

Although WhatsApp had always promised the app would remain ad-free, the app’s privacy policy was modified after the purchase, possibly opening the door to this type of services in the future.

Last year, Brian Acton, one of WhatsApp’s cofounders, revealed that Facebook had already started thinking about using ads. Now after hearing many rumors and enjoying a nice ad-free time, Chris Daniels, WhatsApp’s Vice President, has finally announced we will start seeing ads.

There is no date yet, but from 2019 onward we will find ad videos in WhatsApp’s Statuses, just like it happens in Instagram’s Stories. Unlike Instagram, WhatsApp’s Status feature is far from being one of the app’s main features, so it pretty much falls into the background.

One of the biggest downsides of the ads will certainly be the higher data consumption in contrast to what messages with emojis, gifs and the recently added stickers hardly consume.

Luckily, most users will not be affected by this. If we do not open statuses, we will not see any ads.

Among the options the company was considering, there was the possibility of charging a rate after a set amount of messages were sent. Ads seem to be one of the less intrusive options for users.

]]>http://survivor-zero.com/whatsapp-will-start-showing-adds-in-2019/feed/0Do you use your SSD’s encryption? Maybe your files are not as safe as you thinkhttp://survivor-zero.com/do-you-use-your-ssds-encryption-maybe-your-files-are-not-as-safe-as-you-think/
http://survivor-zero.com/do-you-use-your-ssds-encryption-maybe-your-files-are-not-as-safe-as-you-think/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 03:02:21 +0000http://survivor-zero.com/?p=13Encrypting pour files is one of the most widely used methods to protect them, especially on smartphones and laptops that can easily get stolen. For example, Windows has a tool called BitLocker that lets us do precisely that. It lets us encrypt the entire drive so no one has access to our files without the password. However, according to a new study, this encryption method might not be useful at all.

Yesterday night the guys at HardZone were telling us how several researchers managed to bypass the hardware-based encryption of several SSDs that were using BitLocker, being able to easily steal the files stored on the storage units without needing a password.

Security researchers were able to show this encryption issue by using Crucial and Samsung’s SSDs, although they believe many other manufacturers might be affected by this encryption flaw. Whereas Samsung’s SSD was almost protected against the issue, Crucial’s was a mess because the master password that protects the encryption password was just an empty string, it does not exist, so anyone can bypass it.

The problem is not BitLocker but the SSDs

The encryption issue is not due to BitLocker but the SSDs themselves. Although BitLocker uses software-based encryption to encrypt an HDD, Microsoft’s tool tries to use hardware-based encryption when we try to encrypt an SSD because it is faster, simpler and supposedly safer.

If we want to avoid this problem, the only thing to do is to set up BitLocker using the Group Policy so it does not rely on the SSD. This way SSDs will use software-based encryption like HHDs to encrypt files.

Hardware has become our worst weakness

The SSD’s encryption flaw is not our only security problem. Since the beginning of the year we have been seeing how two major vulnerabilities, Meltdown and Spectre, have tried to jeopardize users’ security. These two vulnerabilities attack us directly from the processor. Yesterday we were also telling you how Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology is vulnerable and lets sensible files like encryption passwords get stolen, and there is nothing we can do about it.

The time for mistrusting hardware-based encryption has come. If we really want to protect our files, the best thing to do is to have additional encryption systems like VeraCrypt (in the case of SSDs, for example). This way we will make sure our PC has the latest security patches installed.

This will not make the SSD safe, but it will make it harder to exploit the flaw.

]]>http://survivor-zero.com/do-you-use-your-ssds-encryption-maybe-your-files-are-not-as-safe-as-you-think/feed/0Batteries: smartphones’ unfulfilled promisehttp://survivor-zero.com/batteries-smartphones-unfulfilled-promise/
http://survivor-zero.com/batteries-smartphones-unfulfilled-promise/#respondMon, 12 Nov 2018 03:01:57 +0000http://survivor-zero.com/?p=7Smartphone batteries have become manufacturers’ unfulfilled promise. In the past few years, we have seen how the industry has focused on improving several key aspects like displays, raw performance and cameras, but batteries have always been forgotten about.

This has led us to a complicated situation: we have smartphones capable of providing great performance and high-quality photos but that are incapable of being used a whole day. The problem is definitely more evident with each new generation, which has been confirmed by The Washington Post with a chart comparing the battery life of several phones of different generations.

The chart speaks for itself. Every smartphone on it has been tested under the same conditions: a single full battery charge under constant web browsing until it is depleted. Curiously, the phone with the best result is the iPhone XR, a phone with an IPS display.

In second place we have the Galaxy Note 9, and in third place we have the iPhone 8 Plus, a model that outperformed the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. The key aspect of the chart is that lithium-ion batteries are being improved although not fast enough as to fulfill the needs of the new phones’ hardware.

In other words, even with new manufacturing processes and improvements in terms of battery optimization, the needs of last-gen smartphones are not being satisfactorily met. This is why so many new models have less battery life than previous generations.

With the arrival of new technologies like 5G, maybe the situation will get worse. Therefore, the big companies of the sector should really start working on improving the battery capacity of mobile devices.